Exhibition News Supplements EN 30 Under Thirty 2017 | Page 5
Partner’s comment
Britain’s Got
Talent!
Chris Skeith, CEO, AEO
5
W
e have amazing talent in the events industry and, with
all of the other work the AEO does in nurturing and
challenging this talent, it’s fantastic to once again support
the EN 30 under Thirty in recognising individuals who are
demonstrating that they have what it takes to be future leaders.
Interestingly, this year, although there was still a great mix of
job roles, marketers make up the majority of the final 30 and
two thirds are from event organisers. At the AEO Conference
last year it was cited that more marketers are expected to take
on the mantle of running events businesses in future where
it has historically been seen as a progression of the sales
function.
I’m interested to see if that will indeed be the case but, in
reality, every role has a place in making a successful events
team, so I’m delighted to see such a mix of passionate and
highly competent individuals rising through the ranks.
Talent management is really important to us at the AEO. As
well as developing, showcasing and providing opportunities
for existing employees from across membership, we’re also
working to attract great candidates into the industry both
at entry level and in more senior roles from other related
industries. Attracting the best talent and making events a first
choice career is one of our key aims – after all the lifestyle,
camaraderie and career progression are second to none.
It’s exciting to see the energy, enthusiasm and ability that the
30 Under Thirty have and it means that when people do join
the industry, they will have some amazing mentors who are
leading by example.
We’re about to launch our Talent Resource Hub, which will
have lots of examples, collateral and information about the
roles, opportunities and ways of getting involved in working
in the events industry. Some AEO members who were part of
last year’s 30 Under Thirty have helped us with what we hope
will be another invaluable resource. Our aim is that, in years
to come, when we ask people how they got into the industry,
which is what we’ve done at the AEO Conference in the past
and also as part of gathering insight for the Talent Resource
Hub, they say it was a conscious career choice due to the
fantastic opportunities the industry offered.
This will be a great legacy for those individuals who’ve got
involved and they should feel really proud that they’re h elping
others develop their careers as they continue through their own.
With this in mind, I would like to take the opportunity to thank
each of last year’s 30 Under Thirty, all of whom have continued
to contribute in a really positive way to initiatives that help
shape the future.
I’d urge this year’s finalists to jump in with both feet, whether
that’s through speaking at industry events, writing blogs and
comment pieces for EN or getting involved in AEO Working
Groups. The EN 30 Under Thirty isn’t the end, it’s the beginning
of a great opportunity to shape your future and that of the
industry, don’t waste that chance!
exhibitionnews.co.uk | 2017